“Complex texts don't give up their meaning easily. Students have to read and reread to figure out what the text is saying and what they think about that text. Rereading improves comprehension and it improves fluency. It is one of the ways that we help students dig deeper into a complex text.” –Dr. Doug Fisher
Rereading complex text helps students dig deeper into the meaning of the text. As Dr. Fisher states, “We have to teach students that rereading text slowly and purposefully is valuable and contributes to a deeper understanding of a text.”
On Day 6, Dr. Fisher discusses the importance of rereading and provides key tips to encourage students to engage in rereading. He also shares the significance of getting students engaged in collaborative conversations about the text with their peers while they reread; this can help them come to terms with what the text says and what it means.
Invite your students to read the text again. Use Dr. Fisher’s tips to engage students in the rereading process:
The first time they reread, ask your students a question that is literal. Then, invite students to read the text again using an inferential question. Encourage your students to engage in collaborative conversations with their peers to come to terms with what the text says and what it means.
After your classroom lesson, consider using the Learning Log to reflect on the rereading process with your students.
This log can be used to capture new learnings as you develop close reading techniques.
